By
Rebecca Gibson |
Dover Cruise Port will host its first ship of the season with the arrival of Fred. Olsen’s Braemar on 25 March. The return of Braemar marks the beginning of a year for the port, which is scheduled to receive 147 cruise calls, including nine inaugural visits in 2013.
Braemar is set to arrive at Dover before it commences its 14-day voyage to the Canary Islands.
“We are delighted to be sailing once again from Dover; it is a very important port for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the experience for our guests and staff is always excellent,” said Martin Lister, planning manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. “The port is easily reached by road and rail and we know our guests always love to sail away, enjoying the great view of the famous White Cliffs.”
AIDA Cruiseshas increased the number of calls at the port, offering a new four-day city tour from Dover to Amsterdam and Hamburg on AIDAstella after the vessel completes its maiden voyage.
Hapag Lloyd’s Columbus 2 will visit the port for the first time during its 14-day tour of the British Isles, while Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star, Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess, Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas and FTI Cruises’ FTI Berlin will all make maiden visits at Dover. Semester at Sea’s cruise ship Explorer and Voyages of Discovery’s vessel Voyager will also make debut calls. Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Legend will make its first call to Dover in June as part of one of its European itineraries, which sees the ship complete 17 European cruises to 34 ports in 18 countries.
Several cruise lines are expected to return to Dover Cruise Port in 2013, including Costa Cruises, Saga and MSC Cruises, which will offer a series of Northern Europe and Mediterranean mini-cruises.
Holland America’s Ryndam will depart from Dover on a range of Northern European routes, while Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will both berth in September.
Kate O’Hara, head of business delivery at Port of Dover, said: “This is always an exciting time of year for us as we get ready to welcome some 230,000 passengers – both repeat and new customers through Dover. The numbers are a ringing endorsement of the continued strength of the cruise business in Kent and Britain as a whole.”